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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Dip-Dye

I spend a lot of my day looking at blogs (and the Instagram accounts that come along with those blogs). Looking at bloggers with Celine handbags and Valentino rockstud heels in not one, but two colors. Ladies that travel to every corner of the tropical earth and through all of Europe, sipping and smiling their way through Switzerland and Cabo and swinging their Prada purses through the South of France. It can be disheartening to read their posts while sitting at my desk at work, wearing two year old slacks, eating my packed lunch from home and thinking it's probably time for another coat of nail polish.

Elizabeth, at the lovely (and local) blog Delightfully-Tacky wrote this article on the idea of other bloggers' "perfect" lives. I won't re-write her post, nor will I summarize it, but it speaks to the very issues represented in the paragraph above and I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.

I felt a bit of reprieve from that envy today when I came home and received my package from Steven Alan. I snagged this pretty dip-dyed blouse on sample sale and cannot be more thrilled with the purchase. It's a bright, colorful item that's entirely out of my comfort zone and an absolutely perfect addition to my closet. I feel like I'm wearing a tulip in it and like I could join those stylish bloggers on the beaches of wherever they are, sipping a drink with an orchid in it, instagramming my shoes. I think it's important to recognize that though things can seem perfect on the other side of that quiet lens, we're all going through separate fears, struggles, and trials, and we each need to slip on a blouse (or skirt, or pair of shoes, or new shade of lipstick) that makes us feel ultimately fabulous, if only for a second.

43 comments

Gorgeous top, Kelsey! I'm glad you feel fabulous in it, because you look fabulous! It's so true that lives can seem perfect when only represented by carefully chosen snapshots - it's good to remind ourselves that no one's life is perfect, even if their instagram photos tell us differently ;) (I also read Elizabeth's post and loved it!)Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)-Carley xx

Beautiful top, and beautiful sentiments. I myself tend to avoid those kind of bloggers, not because they're not fabulous, because they are, but because of my own insecurities and issues with how un-perfect my life is. Even knowing that their lives aren't perfect either, it's still hard.

Amen to that! I also drool over some of these perfect blogger women (pink peonies, atlantic and pacific) wondering what kind of life do they have and what kind of opportunities were they given? It makes you want to try to keep up almost, but then you have to pep talk yourself back into your world of remixing an budget savvy shopping. the struggle!

LOVE this top, glad you purchased it because i'll be (much like i do blair) vicariously wearing it through you! Perfect for summer.

I've semi realized that just like I don't always blog about the bad stuff, neither do my favorite bloggers. I always try and be real but yes, there is definitely a disconnect sometimes between blog life and real life.

i know what you mean about blog envy, i have dealt with it in the past but lately it doesn't bother me so much. if someone else's life makes me feel that bad about myself, i just stop following them. the main key for me is pretty much what elizabeth talks about in realizing no one is perfect no matter how much they appear to be. in fact, i once had a "friend" tell me she hated me for being so "perfect". i just laughed because if she only knew! of course people will always put their best foot forward if given a choice, it's human nature but everyone deals with struggles too.

Steven Alan is so amazing - this top is gorgeous and perfect for summer!!

I completely understand you on the whole blog envy thing, I think I do it more with design than they're actual life style and fashion. But when it does come to life style and fashion (Traveling around the world, Celine's, and Valentino's) - I really believe the blog world is so big and has so many people reaching out and inspiring different types of people.

I can completely relate to all you said about "perfect" bloggers - I'll definitely be reading Delightfully Tacky's post.Your shirt is fabulous, by the way - such a cool concept and gorgeous colors!xx Sarahsarah kate style

I feel ya Kelsey! You are one of those perfect bloggers for me and inspire me with your photographs in every post of yours! I love the top and especially love the 4th pic. Look at that perfect posture, with beautiful hair, heels, and flowy top! Love it!! :)

Like you said, we need to be content with and be thankful for what we have and make the best of it! :) I admire many bloggers and hope to take pictures like them one day, but until I get there, I am gonna continue to admire their beauty and creativity and be inspired by them. :)

I'm so so so jealous of your shoes :( and the entire outfit! especially the top!! I really love how all of your outfits are perfect for everyday life! very nice and chic but still wearable!Wonderful job :) you just won a new follower! and I don't think google reader is shutting down haha a few months ago the rumor went around it would shut in june but it's almost july now.I will follow you on GFC and bloglovin though :)

That shirt is so pretty and I love your shoes!Haha, "sipping drinks with an orchid in them" :DI read Elizabeth's blog post a few days ago and I totally agreed with it. Obviously the bloggers who seem to have "perfect lives" won't blog about their bad days! I love Elizabeth's blog though, it's so down to earth.